My favourite thing when reading sci-fi or fantasy is getting immersed in a world that is unlike our own. I like good descriptions of new worlds,
cultures, ways of doing things.

The thing I dislike the most about sci-fi or fantasy novels, is a lot of technical jargon (like describing the inner workings of a space ship engine
that would take an engineer to understand or military vocabulary that is left unexplained).

I'd personally like to see another movie like "Fantastic Planet". That cartoon was captivating to say the least.

Maybe a story where people finally realize that the final book of the bible, Revelations, is a blueprint and plan for alien invasion and realize the
whole bible pits different religions, people and civilizations against each other for millennia, so the "aliens" can observe every type of human
warfare possible, and how far humans would go to annihilate each other; so that the aliens may foment an unbeatable war plan against humanity.

Originally posted by smilesmcgee
My favourite thing when reading sci-fi or fantasy is getting immersed in a world that is unlike our own. I like good descriptions of new worlds,
cultures, ways of doing things.
...

That's cool, but I also like it when they contrast with similarities to us. I like that contrast between our real world (how it is) and the other, or
how it could be.

Underdone things? I think space is over done and multi-verse is underdone. I like parallel universes (John Dies at the End is a comedy/horror from
this genre) I like it when the super high tech is contrasted with low tech, the extent it just becomes like magic, and we can see all different
aspects of life combined.

Human emotions & human struggles... That's a good summation, thanks. Im reading the thread to the writer in the house, im so excited there's more than
1 pg now! The "just a dream" thing seems like a way to end a fantastical story written by an adolescent.
Apparently, 'gadget fiction' is a subgenre with authors Haldeman, & Sheckler.?
I'm kinda one of those types who're like, "Nuh, Uh! No way could that be possible," when watching a movie. I know I'm supposed to suspend belief (or
suspend disbelief? I don't know) so when a little explaining is done it quiets the overrealistic cynic in me.
However, i do see your point, and agree that it may well apply en masse.
Valuable input, thank you!

so when a little explaining is done it quiets the overrealistic cynic in me.

A little is good. But I'm chuckling now because I know I've read some stories where the writer felt he/she needed to explain how Faster Than Light
travel is possible, but the reader must just accept that there are space-zombie-vampires hidden in the loading bay.

..."its more like "now you have to put a lot of science fact into science fiction or else it turns into science crap"
Is this your line? it's great. Cant wait to share that tidbit. It is true in my opinion!
Thanks!

1.) Technology. All science fiction technology eventually becomes outdated or absurd as discoveries are made on Earth. Ray Bradbury understood this.
He didn't write about how a spaceship works, he wrote about the human condition and universal themes. That's why his stuff is timeless.

2.) Conflicts that are obvious extensions/allegories of historical conflicts on Earth. Yes, we get it. Nazis were evil. So you don't need to write
about racist space aliens who have a red and black flag. Using sci-fi as a soapbox to preach political correctness is tiresome. Show us something
we've never seen before.

Ok, how about time travel? I'm always amused at how they get around the time paradox - going back in time, killing your grandfather, so you were never
born to go back in time etc.

Ray Bradbury wrote a story where they gave tours to the Jurassic to hunt dinosaurs just before they died naturally. Of course, one of them goes off
the path, and steps on a butterfly. When they return, their whole world is changed.

H.G. Wells "The Time Machine" avoids the paradox by only moving forward in time.

Some writers say they actually move to a different timeline when time traveling, to a parallel universe.

Looper came out last year and deals with time travel in a unique way. It's an okay movie.

A little O.T. but this is the first place I've found that seemed right to vent it:

SyFy's "Warehouse 13" - is the most BLATANT plagiarism I have EVER seen! What's more, I think they're plagiarizing themselves.

The original show was (I believe) "Friday the 13th - The Series". Originally, it was magical artifacts, and WH13 it's science artifacts.
Different actors, sure. But the concept is so *exactly* the same that I can't bring myself to watch it. Not even one episode.

Tovenar, Thanks!
Great resource and entertaining site to browse.
Here are some character tropes, from the land of tv-writing:

"Heavily wounded and on the verge of death, the Almost Dead Guy manages to stay alive just long enough to answer a question, or give a message (or at
least the first part of a message—or even an insult). Almost Dead Guys seem to have a sixth sense of their value to the plot, and if necessary will
cling to life for hours, sometimes even days, only to die within minutes of being questioned."

Or "You're in a sticky situation; you need to get something and there doesn't seem to be a legal way of getting it. (It could be banned, rationed,
from overseas or possibly just made in extremely limited quantities). If you're lucky, you'll have a Friend in the Black Market."

Will be browsing that site for awhile, after I respond to all these great posts! I just wantvto thank everyone here for the consideration. It means a
lot for you 'good sports' to participate. We're getting good stuff to consider. . OK, ernough sap...

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